Goa’s biodiversity hotspot is in grave threat after the centre approved the clearance of 140 hectares of forests for the railway project. The locals in the area have been protesting and leaving no stone unturned to save Mollem and other biodiversity hotspots. However, all their efforts have gone in vain as the centre gave a green signal to clear the forests.
South Goa’s Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary & Mollem National Park Gets A Blow
Save Mollem Forest: Goans Protest Against The Coal Project Threatening Biodiversity. THE UNION Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change granted clearances for the diversion of 140 hectares of forest land for the development of South Western Railway’s double-tracking project. Despite the protests by environmentalists and locals, South Goa’s Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mollem National Park will suffer a devastating blow.
📢 LIVE!
Watch @AmithaBala live on @fayedsouza YouTube channel discussing about the recent development of @moefcc approving 140 hectares of forest land for the @RailVikas double tracking project.#SaveMollemhttps://t.co/hyL4D2hBeR
— Save Mollem Campaign (@savemollemgoa) March 1, 2021
Double-Tracking Railway Will Cause Large-Scale Destruction Of Forest Land
Earlier, the MoEF granted approval or a stage-1 clearance of 120 hectares of forest land for a double-tracking railway between Castlerock railway station in North Karnataka to Kulem railway station in South Goa. They also issued two other clearances for the diversion of 1.90 hectares of private forest and 15.6 hectares of forest land for the railway project.
Also read: Goa’s Otter Island Is Its Best Kept Secret
What is tragic about this idea of development is that it is the very reason that is causing the global climate catastrophic events. Human beings continue to think they can replace natural infrastructure that supports all life with urban infrastructure that destroys life. https://t.co/mU4cj3b74r
— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) March 1, 2021
Environmentalists Are Opposing The Linear Projects
Environmentalists have been opposing three linear projects as they would lead to large-scale destruction of forests in the Western Ghats. Clearly, the centre gave no benefits to the locals and only aimed at accelerating the transport of coal from the Mormugao Port Trust to Karnataka.
Also read: This Hidden Waterfall On Goa-Karnataka Will Transport You To Another World
@moefcc allocation of Forest Land for Rail Double Tracking is leading to Destruction of 85% of Mahavir Natural Park.This will cause an irreversible & devastating effect on Mollem’s Biodiversity & #WesternGhats pushing #Goa & nearby region in Climatic Catastrophies. #SaveMollem pic.twitter.com/7BRzArAk8B
— Ketan Nardhani (@ketan83) March 1, 2021
Biodiversity is at threat and we must come together to save nature.